Variable pattern gaseous display panel having segmented cathode electrodes

ABSTRACT

Display devices adapted to display one or more patterns, symbols, or portions of patterns side-by-side in one or more rows and including a multiple-pattern template in combination with a multiple-segment information display panel. Such display devices may include a plurality of elongated conductors each carrying a plurality of cathode electrode segments disposed along the length of the conductors in the panel, one at each display position, and an anode electrode associated with each group of cathode segments. At each display position, the cathode segments can be selectively energized to display selected patterns or any desired portions of the patterns or symbols provided by the template format.

United States Patent Shesser [451 Nov. 21, 1972 [54] VARIABLE PATTERN GASEOUS 2,878,418 3/ 1959 Garfinkel et al. ..313/117 X DISPLAY PANEL HAVING 3,609,750 9/ 1971 Budd et a1 ..3 15/ 169 X SEGMENTED CATHODE ELECTRODES 2,906,906 9/1959 McCauley et al ..313/l09.5 3,426,248 2/1969 Cistola ..315/169 [72] Arthur shesse" Plamfied 3,370,195 2/1968 Stenning ..313/109.5 x [73] Assignee: Burroughs Corporation, Detroit, 3,418,509 12/1968 Frouws et al. ..313/ 109.5

Mich.

Primary Examiner-Palmer C. Demeo [22] Filed 1971 Attorney-Kenneth L. Miller, Robert A. Green, [21] Appl. No.: 114,595 George L. Kensinger and Charles S. Hall Related U-S. Application Data 57 ABSTRACT [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 45,200, June Display devices adapted to display one or m pat 1970 terns, symbols, or portions of patterns side-by-side in one or more rows and including a multiple-pattern [52] U.S. C1. ..313/109.S, 313/110, 313/190, template in combination with a multiple segmem 51 I Cl 313/ 2i i 6 ag 7; formation display panel. Such display devices may ind 5 l J 6 l clude a plurality of elongated conductors each carry- 1 o earc I i ingaplurality of cathode electrode segmentsdisposed along the length of the conductors in the panel, one at each display position, and an anode electrode as- [56] References cued sociated with each group of cathode segments. At UNITED STATES PATENTS each display position, the cathode segments can be selectively energized to display selected patterns or 3,588,571 6/1971 Uemura et al. ..313/ 109.5 any desired portions of the patterns or Symbols 3,327,153 6/1967 Bickmire et al. ..313/109.5 vided by the template format 3,302,052 1/1967 Schwab ..313/109.5 I 1,560,103 11/1925 Schmierer ..313/210 X 17 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures l 6O| 621 I 1 l/ F gz L Li I Li L, L: w 1 l1 A1: 11 41 3 607 PATENTEI] NM 21 m2 3. 7 03,6 57

sum 2 or 9 g INVENTOR Arthur B. Shesser AT TOR N EY PATENTEnuuvz 1 I972 3. 703 657 saw u or 9 F g. 9 INVENTOR.

A rthur B. Shesser AT TOR NEY PAIENIEDnnvzu 1912 SHEET S [If 9 Wax Im ATTORNEY PATENTED I973 3.703.657

sum 7 0r 9 INVENTOR ARTHUR B. SHESSER ATTORNEY PATENTEDH V 1912 3,703,657

' SHEEI 9 OF 9 INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEY m m m w VARIABLE PATTERN GASEOUS DISPLAY PANEL HAVING SEGMEN'IED CATIIODE ELECTRODES This patent application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 45,200, filed June 10, 1970, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION metal-shaped cathode electrodes in a single tube envelope. Others include a plurality of cathode segments which may be selectively energized to display characters in a single plane.

In a recently developed display panel more than one group of cathode electrodes or segments are provided in a single flat display device. All of the corresponding cathode elements are connected internally while still isolating the ionization discharge between each group of display segments from affecting the on or off state of the other groups of display segments and their anodes. Examples of display devices of this type are disclosed inKuchinsky, etal., patent application, Ser. No. 870,678, filed Oct. 27, 1969 and in Kuchinsky, et al., patent application Ser. No. 55,388, filed July 16,1970, and now abandoned.

- There has been a need, also, for reliable pattern display devices such asthose used as annunciators or information indicators in equipment monitoring and control panels, elevator position indicators, and cash register indicators, for example. Many such indicators have used back-lit indicators illuminated 'by incandescent lamps or the like which have unsuitable life and are troublesome or expensive to replace. Also, the life of such indicators is often shortened by exposure to vibration or unsuitably wide ranges of temperature or voltage variation. J

It is often desirable that annunciator-type displays incorporate both predetermined patterns of one type or another togetherlwith several number-indicating positions. This type of application is particularly suitable in point-of-sale retail store equipment, such as cash registers or the like. In the case of elevator annunciators and the like, it is often desired that only a selected portion of a pattern be illuminated rather than the entire pattern, for indicating location and direction of travel, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide an economic variable pattern display device controlled by selected illumination of segmented display electrodes.

.Another object of the invention is to provide a practical pattern display apparatus having a plurality of display positions in which portions of the display pattern are individually illuminated by glowing cathode electrodes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple-position pattern display device for displaying either patterns or numbers, or both, by selective activation of segmented cathode electrodes anode electrodes.

In accordance with these objects, there are provided controllable pattern display devices filled with an ionizable gas at a pressure suitable for cathode glow and including an apertured sheet or plate positioned in front of internally interconnected cathode segments for the selective display of information.

The display pattern sheet or template has a number of openings, each of which exposes at least a part of one or more display cathode segments which, when energized, illuminate the corresponding portion of the associated pattern. Each portion of the display pattern is thus selectively and individually adapted to being il- I luminated in the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages and features of the invention are made clear in the following description, relating to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a segmented cathode display panel; 7

FIG. 2 is a plan-view of a base assembly for such a device including display cathode segments inclined from the perpendicular;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the display device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates three different segmented cathode electrodes which may be used in the display panels of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a'portion of a few character positions of such display panels;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a display device;

FIG. 7 is a top view of another pattern of segmented display electrodes suitable for use in the subject devices; I

FIG ..8 is a perspective view of another display device embodiment; i

FIG. 9is a plan view of a base assembly incorporating inclined display segments similar to the electrode pattern of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a display panel as that of FIG. 8;

FIGS. 11, Hand 13 aret'op views of display panels in which portions of display patterns are individually illuminated by segmented cathodes;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views of variable pattern panel displays controllably illuminated by segmented cathode electrodes; and

FIGS. 16 and 17 are exploded views of partially patterned variable display panels controllably illuminated by cathode electrode segments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS and associated.

250 Torr at ambient temperature, with about 75 Torr being a pressure which is commonly used.

A display device or panel 100 embodying the invention has a plurality of character display positions 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 at each of which a character, number, letter, symbol-or the like can be displayed in a manner to be described. Six such positions are shown in FIG. 1, however, it is clear that fewer or more positions may be provided and six positions are not shown in all of the embodiments of the invention. Each display position includes a plurality of display cathode segments 41-48, 51-58, 61-68, 71-78, 81-88, and 91-98 and their anodes 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190, respectively, one anode being provided for each group of cathode segments.

Display device 100 includes an insulating base plate 110 of glass, ceramic or the like, having a top surface in which a plurality of parallel horizontal slots or grooves 101, 102, 108 are formed. The top surface of bottom plate 110 may be coated with a dark, light-absorbent insulating material in order to improve optical contrast.

The cathode segments 41-48, 51-58, etc, are secured to elongated cathode connectors or conductors 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 by means of cathode tabs, the length of which determine the spacing of each cathode segment from its conductor. The elongated conductors 21 to 28 are seated in the slots 101 to 108 in base plate 100 and the tabs raise the segments above the top surface of plate 110 the desired distance.

The cathode conductors 21 to 28 are of stainless steel or the like and they may be relatively flat strip material or they may be wire-like, and each carries one of the cathode segments of each group. The cathode segments are suitably spaced apart along each conductor so that each occupies the same, proper, relative position at each display position in the panel. The cathode segments and tabs 31 may be integral with the conductors 21 to 28 or they may be separate pieces welded or otherwise secured together. An integral construction is preferred and can be achieved with a photochemical etching process or stamping process which produces conductor strips having cathode segments spaced apart and all oriented parallel to the conductor. The cathode segments which are to be oriented at an angle to their conductors, as shown, are twisted in any suitable fashion after the conductors are set into the slots in the base plate or before.

Thus to summarize, and referring to FIG. 2, cathode conductor 21 is seated in slot 101 and carries cathode segments 41, 51, 61 etc.; conductor 22 is seated in slot 102 and carries cathode segments 42, 52, 62, etc.; conductor 23 is seated in slot 103 and carries cathodes 43, 53, 63, etc.; conductor 24 is seated in lot 104 and carries cathodes 44, 54, 64, etc.; conductor 25 is seated in slot 105 and carries cathodes 45, 55, 65, etc.; conductor 26 is seated in slot 106 and carries cathodes 46, 56, 66, etc.; conductor 27 is seated in slot 107 and carries cathodes 47, 57, 67, etc.; conductor 28 is seated in slot 108 and carries cathodes 48, 58, 68, etc.

As illustrated and as well known, each group of segments described is arrayed in a figure 8 pattern and these can be used to form numerals zero to nine, with electrode segments 48, 58, 68, etc., being usable to represent auxiliary characters such as decimal points, commas or the like.

The grooves 101 to 108 are sufficiently deep so that cathode conductors 21 to 28 lie below the top surface of plate 110 and are substantially completely hidden therein with only the cathode segments and portions of their tabs 31 extending above the top surface of the plate as illustrated in FIG. 6. The grooves are sufficiently narrow so that, in operation of the panel, the cathode connectors or conductors do not glow. However, under some circumstances, the top surfaces of these conductors which see the anode electrodes 140, 150, etc., may glow. Such spurious glow can be prevented by coating the top surfaces of these cathode conductors with glass or the like or by filling the grooves with an insulating material such as a glass frit, or by means of insulating shield plates, some forms of which are described below.

Under some circumstances, it may be desirable in panel 10 to provide physical isolation between the groups of electrodes and thus between adjacent display positions. Such isolation may be provided by means of a shield plate of glass, ceramic or the like, or of metal coated with insulating material, where required. Plate 120 comprises an outer rectangular frame portion which extends around the periphery of the panel and transverse cross members 124 to 128 which extend between the upper and lower portions of the frame and occupy positions between the display positions and shield the groups of electrodes from each other. The cross members also overlay and shield portions of the cathode conductors 21 to 28 in the slots in the base plate.

The anode electrodes to 190 may be rectangular members which enclose the groups of cathodes as shown schematically in FIG. 1 but they are preferably large-area screens, each of which overlays its group of cathode segments. Each screen has contact tabs or leads 34, 35, 39, respectively, which extend from opposed portions thereof. The anode screens may be supported on frame 120 to raise them above and insulate them from the cathode segments as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. Alternatively, the anodes might be provided with the side walls (FIG. 5) which rest on the top surface of the bottom plate 110. A portion of such an anode is illustrated in FIG. 5. Such anodes having side walls 180' might also include tabs which can be inserted in holes in the base plate or in an apertured plate such as plate 120 or 320 (FIG. 9).

A transparent or translucent glass cover plate 200 (FIG. 6) completes the panel 10, and plates 110, 120, and 200 are hermetically sealed together along their adjacent edges by a seal formed with a glass frit or a ceramic material such as Pyroceram. The panel is filled with the desired gas through a tubulation (not shown) secured to base plate 110 or in any other suitable manner.

In operation of display device 100, in order to display a plurality of numerals, generally negative information signals are applied to one or more cathode conductors 21, 22, 23 28 from a suitable data source, and a generally positive potential is applied to the first anode 140. The cathode segments, which are thus energized, glow and display a first numeral at the first display position 40. A second group of information signals is applied to selected cathode conductors and the second anode 150 is energized, and a second numeral is displayed at second position 50. In the same way, the successive application of different information signals to selected cathode conductors and the other anodes, in turn, causes a character to be displayed at each character position. If this sequence is repeated through the display device from one end to the other at-a sufficiently high rate, a'stationary but changeable series of numerals can be displayed in the panel, one at each character position. As the cycling operation is carried out, if the information signals on the cathode conductors change, then the characters at the respective dis play positions also change.

In one modification of the invention, the cathode conductors 21 to 28 are provided with raised tabs 215, 225, 235 along their lengths and between the cathode segments as shown in FIG. 4 to support spacer or shield plate 120. As noted above, the cathode connectors may be wires or flat ribbons or the like as illustrated at 210, 220, 230 in FIG. 4.

In a modification .of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, spacer plate 120 is replaced by a plate 320 which includes relatively wide strips 10 between display positions and narrow strips or fingers between the cathode segments in each group. Plate 320 may be made up of two plates which have protruding fingers and are insertable from opposite edges of the panel toward each other so that they interleave. This arrangement provides substantially complete shielding of any exposed portions of the cathode connectors within the slots in the panel base plate.

Different variations in the number and in the orientation of the cathode display segments may be utilized as desired. One such variation is illustrated in FIG. 7 and employs 13 different display segments for displaying characters, and a like number of grooves in the base plate for receiving cathode connectors. Display segments 241, 242, 253 of FIG. 7 may be operated as the cathode electrodes in'the devices of FIGS. 1-6. The provision of such additional cathode segments permits the display of numeric, alphabetic and other characters. Another cathode arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10.

The drawing of FIG. 9 illustrates the bottom plate assembly of a display device similar to that of FIG. 8, in which the display segments are inclined at an angle from the perpendicular. A glass or ceramic bottom plate 310 having grooves 301, 302, 309 in its top surface hasinserted into it elongated cathode conductors 321, 322, 329, bearing display segments 341-349 through 381-389. All of the display segments protrude out of their respective grooves with a vertical clearance between them and the top surfaces of the back plate. Insulating member 320, which may be fabricated from a sheet of mica, for example, has slots for the display segments of each character position. This member is inserted between the bottom plate 310 and the protruding display segments.

A controllable pattern display panel according to the invention generally incorporates the structural features of any of the panels described above except that the cathode segments are used merely as sources of light and thus may have any desired shape. The cathode segments individually andcontrollably illuminate different portions of several display patterns. The segments may be rectangular tabs bent over to provide the large area electrodes 541-569 of the display panel of FIG. 11, for example. Alternatively, elongated cathode segments 641-647, etc. as in FIG. 12 or button-shaped segments 741-747, etc. as inFIG. 13 may be employed as light sources in these panels.

, Any number of cathode electrodes set in any suitable orientation may be used. The display panel of FIG. 11 includes cathode electrodes 52l-529 disposed in the corresponding grooves 501-509 of insulating plate 510. The display panels of FIGS. 11 and 12 include electrodes 721-627 and electrodes 721-727 disposed in grooves 601-607 in plate 610 and in grooves 701-707 in plate 710, respectively.

In these variable pattern display panels an apertured plate or sheet 520, 620, 720, etc. is provided either in contact with the face plate of the panel or inside the panel. The apertured sheets may be placed between the anode electrode and the .face plate of the panel and may also serve as a spacer or as a frame for the display positions.

The display panels of FIGS. 11-13 are particularly useful as annunciator devices. The apertured plate is shaped to provide the desired message or display,

which may be varied easily to suit the applicatiomThe patterned sheets may have an aperture for each cathode segment of the device as do sheets 520, 620, and 720 of FIGS. 11-13 or may have fewer apertures.

The apertures may be smaller or larger than the corresponding cathode segments and some may expose two or more cathode segments, if desired. Any number of indicator positions may be provided.

The aperture pattern may, alternatively, be applied to either surface of the face plate of the panel in the form of a film or opaque coating. Where an apertured plate is provided in contact with the face plate outside the panel, a single panel may be used with many different plates to provide different message representations. The face plate or window may also be abraded or coated to provide diffusing apertures to diffuse the light originating at the cathode segments for more uniform illumination of the portions of the patterns.

The drawings of FIGS. 14 and 16 illustrate another display panel having a variable pattern display portion 800-X and a numeric display portion 800-Y. This display panel includes a glass or ceramic base plate 810 having a plurality of cathode connectors 821-829 embedded within suitable grooves or the like in it. Cathode conductor 821 is connected to a plurality of cathode segments 841, 871, 881 and 891. Cathode conductor 822 is connected to a plurality of cathode elements 872, 882 and 892. Cathode conductor 823 is connected to a plurality of cathode elements 843, 873, 883 and 893. Cathode conductor 824 is connected to a plurality of cathode elements 874, 884, and 894. Cathode conductor 825 is connected to a plurality of cathode elements 875, 885 and 895. Cathode conductor 826 is connected to a plurality of cathode elements 876, 886 and 896. Cathode conductor 827 is connected to a plurality of cathode elements 847, 877, 887 and 897. Cathode conductor 828 is connected to. a plurality of cathode elements 878, 888 and 898. Cathode conductor 829 is connected to a plurality of cathode elements 849, 879, 889 and 899. Cathode elements 870-I, 880-P and 890-P are shaped as decimal points at the lower right-hand corner of the corresponding numeral position and have terminals 870-PX, 880-PX, and 890-PX, respectively.

Insulating sheets 820A and 820B formed of mica or the like having slots in them are inserted towards each other from opposite edges of the device and mate with the posts or connecting tabs of each of the cathode elements. A pair of anode screen electrodes 850 and 860 having terminals 835 and 836 supported on spacer 830 are positioned side-by-side above cathode elements 841, 843, 847 and 849, which may be bent down to provide flat cathode elements. Anode screen electrodes 870, 880 and 890 having terminals 837, 838 and 839 supported on spacer 830 are positioned proximate the corresponding groups of cathode elements 870-P, 871-879; cathode elements 880-P, 881-889; and cathode elements 890-1, 891-899.

A top glass cover plate 900 positioned above anode electrodes 850-890 is sealed to base plate 810, enclosing a gas at a suitable pressure within the cavity of the device. An opaque template or mask 834 having patterned apertures or transparent outlines 834A, 834B, 834C and 834D, for example, formed of any suitable material such as plastic, photographic film, or metal, if desired, and is either adhered to or clamped upon glass cover plate 900. The underside of the glass cover plate is given a diffusing surface 900-X by a suitable coating, sand-blasting or the like, and the remaining surface 900-Y is left clear or translucent, as desired.

The variable pattern portion 800-X of the display panel is controllably illuminated by cathode elements 841, 843, 847 and 849, in cooperation with anode screen electrodes 850 and 860. Opaque light barriers 832, attached to spacer 830, are positioned longitudinally between cathode elements 843 and 847 to permit selective illumination of the upper portion display patterns 834-A and 834-B without illumination of lower display patterns 834C and 834D, and vice versa. Insulating members 831 attached to spacer 830 isolate the adjacent display positions from each other.

Selective energization of cathode elements 841 and 843, together with activation of anode 850, will illuminate display pattern 834A. Selective energization of cathode elements 841 and 843, together with activation of anode 860, will illuminate display pattern 843B. Energization of cathode elements 847 and 849 via cathode connectors 827 and 829 will illuminate either display pattern 834C or 834D, depending upon whether anode 850 or anode 860 is activated.

The operation of the numeric display positions is similar to that previously described. Activation of a portion of the variable pattern display section 800-X and activation of one or more of the numeric display positions may follow each other in close succession and create the appearance of a continuous, yet changeable, display of an information pattern and related numerals.

A modified variable pattern display device illustrated in FIG. 15, includes base plate 910 having cathode conductors 921-927 supported or embedded therein and connected to cathode elements 951-957, 961-967, 991-997. Anode ring electrodes 950-990 are associated with the corresponding display positions 950X-990X. A slotted insulating sheet or the like 920 isolates the cathode elements from the corresponding cathode conductors 921-927. An overlying auxiliary electrode 940 having a terminal 945 extends along the length of the panel and has depressions or ribs extending downwardly between the adjacent display positions for isolating them from each other and suppressing interference between them.

A' glass cover plate or the like 1000 having an opaque coating or film 933 with apertures or transparent portions 933A, 9338, 933C and 933D comprise the structure of the device.

The operation of this device is similar to that of the device of FIGS. 14 and 16. Illumination of pattern 933A of the display pattern is illuminated by energization of cathode elements 951, 952 and 953, together with activation of anode 950. Illumination of display pattern 933B is accomplished by energization of cathode elements 961, 962 and 963 via cathode connectors 921, 922 and 923, together with activation of anode electrode 960. Likewise, illumination of portions 933C and 933D of the display pattern may be obtained by energization of cathode conductors 925, 926 and 927, together with activation of anode electrode rings 950 or 960, respectively.

According to a modification of the invention, a p attemed display panel may also include large planar cathode elements for illuminating the desired indicia as shown in FIG. 17. In this embodiment a plurality of conductors -130 are supported on edge on a glass or ceramic base plate 815. The conductors bear a plurality of display cathode segments 861-869, 871-879, and 883, 885', and 889' for representing characters, numerals or symbols. Conductors 120 and also bear decimal indicating elements 860'-880, and 860-P and 870-P, respectively.

Two other cathode elements are also provided in the form of cathode screen members 845A, 845B and 855A, 855B which may be connected to cathode conductors 120 and 130, respectively, by support tabs 846A, 846B and 856A, 8568 and connecting leads 848A, 848B and 858A, 8588, as shown. A mica sheet 816 or the like insulates the connecting leads of the cathode screens from conductors 121-129. Alternatively, the connection leads 848A, 848B and 858A, 858B may be made longer, insulated entirely from conductors 120-130, and extended out the front or back of the panel, if desired.

The cathode conductors 120-130, together with connection leads 848 and 858 of cathode structures 845 and 855, may be held in place and isolated from each other by a suitable glass or ceramic frit or the like. Alternatively, insulating sheets such as slotted mica plates 820C and 820D may be provided and inserted in place above the cathode connecting conductors and below cathode structures 845 and 855 and cathode display segments 860-889, as shown. Insulating plates 820C and 820D abut against each other and are slotted for receiving the support posts or tabs of the cathode elements when they are fitted together and have holes 812 for exposing decimal cathodes 860-880 and apertures 817 for exposing decimal point cathodes 860-P and 870-P. Insulating sheets 820C and 820D, with or without slots, and seated on connectors 848 and 858 may be used to hold the cathodes 845 and 855 in place. In any case, an insulating sheet 816 or an equivalent layer or film separates connectors 848 and 858 from the cathode conductors 120-130.

Twoprongedanode elements 840A-880A areprovided for the respective display positions and are inserted beneath the corresponding cathode segments or I terminal leads 34'38' which extend out of the deviceas terminals.

An auxiliary electrode 890A is provided above the cathode and anode elements and is spaced apart from them by insulating spacer 175 of glass, ceramic or the like. The auxiliary electrode bears terminal leads 895A and 897A which extend out of the display device. A cover plate-900 of glass or the like, which may be trans parent or translucent, bears a patterned template 833 with the indicia to be displayed on a portion of it. The cover plate 900 is sealed to the base plate 815 .and the assembly is evacuated and'then filledwith a suitable gas to complete the device.

To provide a display of desired color or persistence, or both, phosphor material in the form of a deposit or film or the like may be placed on or embedded in cathode screen structures 845A, 845B and 855A, 855B. Such phosphor will be excited by ultraviolet or infra-red radiation from the discharges, as desired, to display the indicia. The phosphor also may be placed at any other suitable position on or near the cathode elements.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed.

I claim:

1. A display panel comprising a hermetically sealed envelope including an insulating base plate,

a plurality of elongated conductors supported on said base plate and each carrying a plurality of cathode segment electrodes spaced apart along its length,

said segments being positioned on said conductors so that they are arrayed in groups, with segments of each conductor being included in different groups comprising display positions in said panel,

an anode electrode positioned in operative relation with each said group of segment electrodes,

a template positioned over the electrodes and having a pattern of light-transmitting areas in the form of indicia to be displayed for transmitting light from selective discharges about the cathode segments in different patterns, and

an ionizable gas contained in the envelope and about the electrodes.

2. The display panel of claim 1 further comprising slotted insulating means for supporting the plurality of elongated conductors along at least a portion of their lengths.

3. The indicia display panel of claim 1 wherein light barriers are disposed between adjacent display positions and said template comprises opaque means having light transmitting regions in a predetermined array.

4. The display panel of claim 3 wherein certain ones of said cathode segment electrodes are positioned in operative relation with two or more anode electrodes beneath diflerent light transmitting regions of said template. v

5. The display panel of claim 1 further comprising planar cathode means disposed beneath light transmitting portions of said template and positioned in operative relation with an anode electrode.

6. The display panel of claim 5 wherein a plurality of planar cathode members are positioned in operative relation with the same anode electrode beneath different light-transmitting portions of the template.

7. The display panel of claim 6 wherein the planar cathode members are connected to selected ones of said elongated conductors and insulated from the remainder.

8. Variable pattern indicator apparatus having segmented display electrodes comprising a plurality of elongated conductors spaced substanlength, 7

insulating means supporting said conductors and maintaining the orientation of them,

second electrode means for each indicator position situated proximate a corresponding group of display. segments and isolating the discharges about them from each other, an insulating cover having top and bottom surfaces and being situated above the electrode means,

shield means positioned over the display segments and having a pattern of light-transmitting areas in the form of difierent indicia to be displayed for transmitting light from glow discharge at selected ones or selected groups of the electrode segments in a pattern according to the chosen indicia, and

a gaseous atmosphere sealed in the region between the insulating means and said insulating cover including an ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining cathode. glow discharge.

9 The indicator apparatus of claim 8 in which the display electrodes are comprised of strips of conductive material having display segments oriented at angles to them to form the indicator positions and the shield means comprises an opaque member having lighttransmitting regions and being disposed adjacent said insulating cover.

10. The indicator apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second electrode means comprise an anode electrode for each group of display segments, capable of transmitting light from cathode glow developed in association with the corresponding display segments, and the shield means comprises an apertured member disposed proximate the anode electrodes.

11. The indicator apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second electrode means are multi-sided mesh screen members partially enclosing the associated groups of display segments and the shield means comprises an opaque layer having a pattern of light-transmitting reions. g 12. The indicator apparatus of claim 8 in which conductive shield means is disposed between the display segments and the adjacent portions of the elongated conductors to isolate the discharges about the segments, themselves, from the conductors.

13. The indicator apparatus of claim 8 wherein insulating means are disposed between adjacent display cathode segments as spacers between different indicator positions.

14. Indicia display apparatus comprising an insulating base plate having top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of parallel grooves in the top surface thereof,

a plurality of elongated conductors each disposed in one of said grooves and bearing a plurality of plate-like cathode elements along it above the top surface of the base plate, there being groups of said cathode elements disposed along the base plate including members of different ones of said conductors,

an anode electrode positioned in operative relation with each of said groups of cathode elements for controlled ionizing discharges with them,

a second insulating plate situated above the groups of electrodes, v

substantially flat shield means positioned over the cathode elements and having a pattern of lighttransmitting areas in the form of the indicia to be displayed or portions thereof for receiving light emanating from selective glow discharges about the cathode elements, and

a gaseous atmosphere sealed in the region between the insulating plates including ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining cathode glow discharge.

15. The indicia display apparatus of claim 14 in which the elongated conductors include strips of metal supporting the cathode elements above the top surface of the base plate at different display positions while disposed in the grooves and the shield means comprises a member having a pattern of apertures corresponding to the indicia to be displayed.

16. The indicia display apparatus of claim 14 wherein the anode electrode for each group of display segments is capable of transmitting light from glow discharge developed about the associated cathode elements and the shield means comprises an opaque layer having a pattern of light-transmitting areas corresponding to the indicia to be displayed.

17. The indicia display apertures of claim 14 wherein the anode electrodes isolate ionizing discharges about the associated groups of cathode elements from the others and spacing means separates the insulating plates. 

1. A display panel comprising a hermetically sealed envelope including an insulating base plate, a plurality of elongated conductors supported on said base plate and each carrying a plurality of cathode segment electrodes spaced apart along its length, said segments being positioned on said conductors so that they are arrayed in groups, with segments of each conductor being included in different groups comprising display positions in said panel, an anode electrode positioned in operative relation with each said group of segment electrodes, a template positioned over the electrodes and having a pattern of light-transmitting areas in the form of indicia to be displayed for transmitting light from selective discharges about the cathode segments in different patterns, and an ionizable gas contained in the envelope and about the electrodes.
 1. A display panel comprising a hermetically sealed envelope including an insulating base plate, a plurality of elongated conductors supported on said base plate and each carrying a plurality of cathode segment electrodes spaced apart along its length, said segments being positioned on said conductors so that they are arrayed in groups, with segments of each conductor being included in different groups comprising display positions in said panel, an anode electrode positioned in operative relation with each said group of segment electrodes, a template positioned over the electrodes and having a pattern of light-transmitting areas in the form of indicia to be displayed for transmitting light from selective discharges about the cathode segments in different patterns, and an ionizable gas contained in the envelope and about the electrodes.
 2. The display panel of claim 1 further comprising slotted insulating means for supporting the plurality of elongated conductors along at least a portion of their lengths.
 3. The indicia display panel of claim 1 wherein light barriers are disposed between adjacent display positions and said template comprises opaque means having light transmitting regions in a predetermined array.
 4. The display panel of claim 3 wherein certain ones of said cathode segment electrodes are positioned in operative relation with two or more anode electrodes beneath different light transmitting regions of said template.
 5. The display panel of claim 1 further comprising planar cathode means disposed beneath light transmitting portions of said template and positioned in operative relation with an anode electrode.
 6. The display panel of claim 5 wherein a plurality of planar cathode members are positioned in operative relation with the same anode electrode beneath different light-transmitting portions of the template.
 7. The display panel of claim 6 wherein the planar cathode members are connected to selected ones of said elongated conductors and insulated from the remainder.
 8. Variable pattern indicator apparatus having segmented display electrodes comprising a plurality of elongated conductors spaced substantially parallel in a row, each having a plurality of display electrode segments coupled to it along its length, insulating means supporting said conductors and maintaining the orientation of them, second electrode means for each indicator position situated proximate a corresponding group of display segments and isolating the discharges about them from each other, an insulating cover having top and bottom surfaces and being situated above the electrode means, shield means positioned over the display segments and having a pattern of light-transmitting areas in the form of different indicia to be displayed for transmitting light from glow discharge at selected ones or selected groups of the electrode segments in a pattern according to the chosen indicia, and a gaseous atmosphere sealed in the region between the insulating means and said insulating cover including an ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining cathode glow discharge.
 9. The indicator apparatus of claim 8 in which the display electrodes are comprised of strips of conductive material having display segments oriented at angles to them to form the indicator positions and the shield means comprises an opaque member having light-transmitting regions and being disposed adjacent said insulating cover.
 10. The indicator apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second electrode means comprise an anode electrode for each group of display segments, capable of transmitting light from cathode glow developed in association with the corresponding display segments, and the shield means comprises an apertured member disposed proximate the anode electrodes.
 11. The indicator apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second electrode means are multi-sided mesh screen members partially enclosing the associated groups of display segments and the shield means comprises an opaque layer having a pattern of light-transmitting regions.
 12. The indicator apparatus of claim 8 in which conductive shield means is disposed between the display segments and the adjacent portions of the elongated conductors to isolate the discharges about the segments, themselves, from the conductors.
 13. The indicator apparatus of claim 8 wherein insulating means are disposed between adjacent display cathode segments as spacers between different indicator positions.
 14. Indicia display apparatus comprising an insulating base plate having top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of parallel grooves in the top surface thereof, a plurality of elongated conductors each disposed in one of said grooves and bearing a plurality of plate-like cathode elements along it above the top surface of the base plate, there being groups of said cathode elements disposed along the base plate including members of different ones of said conductors, an anode electrode positioned in operative relation with each of said groups of cathode elements for controlled ionizing discharges with them, a second insulating plate situated above the groups of electrodes, substantially flat shield means positioned over the cathode elements and having a pattern of light-transmitting areas in the form of the indicia to be displayed or portions thereof for receiving light emanating from selective glow discharges about the cathode elements, and a gaseous atmosphere sealed in the region between the insulating plates including ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining cathode glow discharge.
 15. The indicia display apparatus of claim 14 in which the elongated conductors include strips of metal supporting the cathode elements above the top surface of the base plate at different display positions while disposed in the grooves and the shield means comprises a member having a pattern of apertures corresponding to the indicia to be Displayed.
 16. The indicia display apparatus of claim 14 wherein the anode electrode for each group of display segments is capable of transmitting light from glow discharge developed about the associated cathode elements and the shield means comprises an opaque layer having a pattern of light-transmitting areas corresponding to the indicia to be displayed. 